Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;Esperanto Happy&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new variety of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Esperanto Happy’, having a good uniform canopy of bright red/yellow striped single flowers with a yellow/green disc. The variety has medium vigor, a free branching and uniform spreading habit, and good foliage presentation.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/413,586, filed Sep. 24, 2002.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

[0002] Botanical classification: Chrysanthemum morifolium.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0003] The new Chrysanthemum variety denomination is ‘Esperanto Happy.’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum botanically known as Chysanthemum morifolium, and referredto by the cultivar name ‘Esperanto Happy’.

[0005] ‘Esperanto Happy’ originated from whole plant mutation grown in acontrolled planting of the variety ‘Esperanto Improved’ in Valsequillo,Gran Canaria, Spain. The new variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ has beenasexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings in Chichester, West Sussex,United Kingdom and the distinguishing characteristics are retainedthrough successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] ‘Esperanto Happy’ is a pot type of Chrysanthemum plant varietyhaving red/yellow striped single flowers.

Comparison with Parent

[0007] Plants of the new Chrysanthemum variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ aresimilar to the parent cultivar ‘Esperanto Improved’ in plant habitat andgrowth rate. In side-by-side comparisons in Chichester, West Sussex,United Kingdom, under commercial practice, plants of the newChrysanthemum variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ compared to plants of the parentcultivar ‘Esperanto Improved’ in the following characteristics.

[0008] 1. The new variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ produces red/yellow stripedsingle flowers whereas the parent cultivar ‘Esperanto Improved’ producespink/white striped single type flowers.

[0009] 2. Plants of the new variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ have similarinflorescence to the plants of the parent cultivar ‘Esperanto Improved’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

[0010] Typical specimens of the plant and flowers for the newChrysanthemum variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ are shown in the accompanyingdigital photograph. The colors shown are as true as possible within theusual limits of this kind of illustration which is a whole plant view ofthe new variety ‘Esperanto Happy’ grown in a pot. The plant shown in theillustration is 53 days from commencement of short days.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0011] The following description of the new Chrysanthemum variety‘Esperanto Happy’ is of plants grown in a greenhouse in Chichester, WestSussex, United Kingdom in the month of February. The cultivar has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary significantly with variations in the environment such astemperature, length of day and light intensity, without any variance ingenotype. The commercial classification of the new variety is a potChrysanthemum.

[0012] Plants of the new variety have been grown successfully undertemperature conditions averaging about 18° C. at night and about 24° C.to 25° C. during the day under light conditions of about 5000 to 6000foot candles. The plants respond well to the use of growth retardant,such as B9 treatment. To produce a commercial product the plants may bepinched once with the center bud removed. The typical container size forcommercial growth is 14 cm. It has been observed that the shelf life ofthe new variety is about 24 days with a response time of about 8 weeks.The new variety is suitable for growth in a temperature range of 17° C.to 28° C.

[0013] The following description is with respect to a plant produced aspot Chrysanthemum. In the description of this new Chrysanthemum variety,color values have been taken from The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.C.C.).

Plant

[0014] Plant type: Pot.

[0015] Habit: Upright and free branching.

[0016] Height: 23 cm.

[0017] Width: 35 cm.

[0018] Branching characteristics: Upright and free branching.

[0019] Length of lateral branches: 6-11 cm.

[0020] Number of breaks from pinch: 3-5.

[0021] Stem color: 137A.

[0022] Response time: 53 days.

[0023] Vigor: Medium.

[0024] Shelf life: 24 days.

[0025] Disease/Pest (susceptibility/resistance observed): None observedto date.

[0026] Growth retardant type and treatment: 3 applications of 2.5gm/litre B9 at 2, 21, 28 days after the commencement of sticking ofunrooted cuttings. The plants were grown for 3 weeks in Long Dayconditions (20 hours of light) and then transferred to Short Dayconditions (13 hours of dark).

[0027] Propagation:

[0028]Type.—Vegetative Propagation Via Stem Cuttings.

[0029]Time to rooting.—12-14 days with soil temperatures of 18° C.

[0030]Rooting habit.—Fine and fibrous.

Foliage

[0031] Number of leaves per lateral branch: 8-11.

[0032] Compound or single: Single.

[0033] Arrangement of leaves: Alternate.

[0034]Shape of leaf.—typically 5 lobed ovate.

[0035]Size of leaf.—Width (cm): 3.5-7 Length (cm): 5-10.

[0036]Leaf apex.—Acute.

[0037]Base.—Obtuse.

[0038]Attachment.—Petioled.

[0039]Aspect.—Slightly Undulating.

[0040]Margin.—Palmately Lobed.

[0041]Surface characteristics.—Top: Slightly Pubescent. Bottom:Pubescent.

[0042] Petiole:

[0043]Color.—137B. Length: 1.5 cm.

[0044] Venation: net prominent midvein at underside.

[0045]Color.—upper side: Near 137A. under side: Near 138A.

[0046] Color:

[0047]Mature leaf, upper side.—Near 137A; under side: Near 138A.

[0048]Young leaf, upper side.—Near 137B; underside: Near 138B.

Flower

[0049] Flower appearance: Circular slightly cupped.

[0050] Flower type: Single.

[0051] Flower form: Cupped.

[0052] Flower shape: Circular.

[0053] Flowering habit: Cyme.

[0054] Number of blossoms per branch: 3-5.

[0055] Inflorescence form: Pyramidal.

[0056]Depth of fully expanded blossoms.—2 cm.

[0057]Diameter of fully expanded blossoms.—6-8 cm.

[0058] Phyllaries:

[0059]Number.—28-30.

[0060]Color.—near 136C.

[0061]Length.—0.5-0.9 cm.

[0062]Width.—0.2-0.4 cm.

[0063]Texture/Appearance.—Pubescent.

[0064] Peduncle: Peduncle length is shortest at the terminal flower andprogressively longer moving down the stem.

[0065]Length.—2.5-10 cm.

[0066]Color.—near 136C.

[0067]Surface.—Pubescent.

[0068]Habit.—Slightly curving.

[0069]Strength.—Medium.

[0070] Pedicel:

[0071]Length.—terminal: 1.5-3.5 cm; lateral: 1.5-6 cm.

[0072]Color.—Near 138B.

[0073]Surface.—Pubescent.

[0074]Habit.—Slightly curving.

[0075]Strength.—Medium.

[0076] Ray florets:

[0077]Form/Shape.—Straight.

[0078]Texture/Appearance.—Matte.

[0079]Number per flower.—25-30.

[0080]Length.—3-3.5 cm.

[0081]Width.—0.8-1.2 cm.

[0082]Apex.—Rounded.

[0083]Base.—Tapered.

[0084]Margin.—Entire.

[0085] Disc florets:

[0086]Form/Shape.—Cylindrical.

[0087]Texture/Appearance.—Shiny.

[0088]Number per flower.—170-250.

[0089]Length.—0.3-0.6 cm.

[0090]Width.—<0.1-0.1 cm.

[0091]Diameter of disc.—1.2-1.5 cm.

[0092] Fragrance: Faint.

[0093] Flower bud (at onset of color):

[0094]Length.—1.5 cm.

[0095]Diameter.—1 cm.

[0096]Form/Shape.—Globular.

[0097]General flower color.—1. Ray florets, upper side: Immature: Near46B and 9A. Mature: Near 46C and 9B. Older/Fading: Near 46D and 9C. 2.Ray florets, under side: Immature: Near 4A. Mature: Near 4B.Older/Fading: Near 4C. 3. Disc florets: Immature: Near 144A. Mature:Near 154A. Older/Fading: Near 154B. 4. Bud: 138B.

[0098] Flower progression with age: Flower form does not change with agebut there is a slight colour fading.

[0099] Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Foliage remains good withage.

Reproductive Organs

[0100] Gynoecium present on Ray and Disc florets.

[0101] Ray florets:

[0102]Pistil Number.—25.

[0103]Stigma color.—Near 6C.

[0104]Stigma shape.—Forked.

[0105]Style color.—Near 6C.

[0106]Style length.—0.2 cm.

[0107] Disc florets:

[0108]Pistil Number.—>30<45.

[0109]Stigma color.—Near 6C.

[0110]Stigma shape.—Forked.

[0111]Style color: Near 6C.

[0112]Style length.—0.2 cm.

[0113] Androecium: None observed to date.

[0114] Fruit and seeds: None observed to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Chrysanthemumplant, substantially as described and illustrated herein.